Doreen C. Harper
UAB School of Nursing
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Profile: Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN
Title: Dean and Professor
Organization: School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Address: NB 204, 1701 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294-1210
Phone: 205-934-5360
Fax: 205-934-1894
E-mail: dcharper@uab.edu
Website: www.uab.edu/nursing
Favorite Quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
UAB School of Nursing, ranked among the top 10% of nursing schools in the country, prepares tomorrow’s compassionate nursing leaders who contribute to improving the health and quality of care for individuals, families, and populations in Alabama and around the world.
Company/Organization Brief Mission: The UAB School of Nursing, as part of a research university and academic health center prepares nurse leaders to excel as clinicians, researchers and educators; and advances knowledge and the delivery of high quality health care in Alabama and worldwide.
Job description: As Dean of the UAB School of Nursing, I provide leadership for the School’s faculty, staff, students and alumni across the University’s tripartite mission- teaching, research and service. I am also responsible for strengthening networks with external groups, associations and community on a local, national and international level. As Dean, I have the privilege to serve as Director of the School of Nursing’s Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for International Nursing, one of approximately 11 Centers in the U.S., that focuses on building nursing capacity though nursing education to improve the care for children and families through global outreach, with an emphasis on Africa, Central and Latin America.
Length of service: I have served as Dean of the UAB School of Nursing for the past four years. Prior to joining UAB, I was Dean of the Graduate School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, MA.
Favorite Awards & Honors: In 2006, I was the recipient of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Lifetime Achievement Award.
Education: I received my PhD in human development and gerontology in conjunction with pursuing post-master’s courses to become a certified adult nurse practitioner. I also hold a Masters of Science in Nursing with a focus in psychiatric-mental health nursing and nursing education from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Cornell University.
Best advice ever received: Balance is essential in your personal and professional lives.
Secret to surviving in business: Engage the strengths and talents of both an organization and the individuals to build a team or partnership that can adapt to change and enhance performance and outcomes.
Strongest inspiration: My parents and husband have served as exceptional inspiration to me. They have taught me the value of doing your best, setting high goals and developing a plan to achieve those goals.
Being in business has taught me: Business has taught me that teamwork and collaboration are keys to achieving exceptional outcomes. A team provides synergy because a team or whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Business has also taught me that different teams are needed to meet the variety of opportunities and challenges an organization faces.
Secret to dealing with employees: Value and listen to your employees. Understand what your employee’s strengths and talents are and align those strengths and talents will needs or opportunities in the organization. Also, help employees learn what they do not know and find opportunities for employees to apply what they do know.
Primary volunteer and community involvement: I have the pleasure and opportunity of serving on several community-based non-profit and professional boards.
Favorite place or way to relax: I find the mountains and ocean both relaxing and restorative places. Exercise helps keep my life in balance.
Additional thoughts: Professional nursing continues to be a rewarding lifetime career with many opportunities for advancement. As the challenges and demands in health care intensify, the demand for an educated nursing workforce is increasing. UAB’s School of Nursing will continue to build on a vision to sustain nursing leadership worldwide.
